By Jane Bartnett

Siesta Key sunsets are among the most beautiful in all the world. As the sky is transformed into an array of vivid colors the water shimmers and day turns to night. As the day comes to a close, there’s something captivating about being out on the water on a Siesta Key sunset cruise. Many times, there’s a chance to see dolphins frolicking during the last daylight hours. They seem to know that the darkness of evening is coming.

For visitors and locals alike Siesta Key offers two ways to spend a memorable evening enjoying a sunset cruise, all year round. Both Fun Boat Tours and High Tide Tiki Tours offer popular excursions. The boats are captained by skilled U.S. Coast Guard certified ship’s captains who are also expert tour guides and well versed in the region’s wildlife as well as the many splendid homes that dot the shoreline in the area.

Every evening holds a different experience, and no two sunsets are ever alike but heading out from Siesta Key into the Gulf is an experience that memories are made of. In February, both companies begin their sunset tours about 1 1/2 hours before sunset. February departure times are generally around 4:30 p.m.

Fun Boat Tours Sunset Cruises

The family focused Fun Boats sunset cruises, under the direction of owner and operator captain Josh Pritchett and his wife Kandace, last between two and two and a half hours. As the name suggests, Fun Boat Tours believes in making a Siesta Key sunset cruise a fun experience.

Onboard, there’s a casual and welcoming family friendly atmosphere. The fun begins as soon as the boat pulls away from the dock. “As we head out, our main focus is on the dolphins and the unique homes on the shore,” said Kandace. “We never get tired of seeing dolphins. They really put on a show. They’re so majestic and it’s wonderful for people to see them for the first time. When the sun sets, we stop near Lido and watch the sun dip and fade away. On the way back, it’s time for karaoke.” The party begins.

Fun Boats offers tour guests complementary soda and water onboard and, as Kandace reports, passengers are welcome to bring their own snacks. Adults over the age of 21 years may also bring their own alcoholic beverages on Fun Boat tours although glass bottles are not permitted.

The custom-built Coast Guard approved Fun Boat cruise vessels have a capacity of 36 passengers. “It’s a good idea,” said Kandace, “to wear comfortable clothes and bring a jacket, towel or blanket along.”

This month, Josh and Kandace are celebrating Fun Boats 12th anniversary. A professional diver, Josh previously ran a successful scuba business based at Marina Jack. “We are very community minded,” said Kandace. “We’ve worked with the Make a Wish Foundation for more than 10 years as well as other local groups including Sarasota’s Casting for the Kids and Service Dogs Saving Lives.”

Fun Boat Sunset Cruises are offered seven days a week. Infants under age 1 are free. Children age 1 – 10 are $34.99 and children over 11, as well as adults are $59.99. More information on Fun Boat sunset cruises as well as their other tour offerings can be found on their website funboattours.com. Fun Boat Tours passengers are asked to arrive 30 minutes before departure and meet at the Airstream trailer at 1265 Old Stickney Point Road, Safe Harbor Marina, next door to the Spearfish Grille restaurant.

High Tide Tiki Tour Boats

Each evening, High Tiki Tour Boats welcomes sunset cruise passengers to their tiki thatched boat docked at CB Outfitters,

at the base of the Siesta Key South Bridge on Stickney Point Road, Siesta Key.

There’s a distinct island vibe on the comfortably outfitted 33-foot open-air tour boat that can carry up to 26 passengers. “We navigate through the Intracoastal, past the bird sanctuary, Bird Key and into the mouth of the Gulf to see the sunset. At dark, we turn the party LED lights on, and everyone enjoys our great stereo system,” said owner Omar Alvarez. “It’s really an experience.” He noted that “captains Keith Yanni and Amy Miller, who are both Coast Guard certified, know the area very well and tell passengers about the Sarasota properties that we pass as we make our way.”

Comfortable bench seating at the front of the boat makes it easy to take in the sights. A central table as well as bar stool seating with drink rails is found in the rear. A full restroom as well as the captain’s helm is in the center of the vessel.

Soda, water, beer, wine as well as mixed drinks, made with and without alcohol, are sold at the ship’s bar. Kids drinks as well as adult beverages are on the menu.

“Kids really love our blue Shark Attack drink that’s similar to a Shirley Temple,” said Alvarez.” Adults must be over 21 years of age to purchase alcohol. On the High Tide Tiki sunset cruise, guests are not permitted to bring their own beverages onboard.

Visit Fun Boat Tours at funboattours.com. Call 941-400-2763. For High Tide Tiki Boat Tours visit: hightidetikiboat.com. Call 941-208-0639.

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